The 2024 Lok Sabha election results have been declared, revealing the outcome for all 543 seats. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been confined to just 240 seats, while the NDA coalition has won 292 seats, contrary to expectations. The opposition alliance, India Coalition, has delivered a stunning performance by securing 234 seats. The showing of the BJP and India Block has been widely discussed in international newspapers, with comments such as 'Modi wrapped in a shadow victory.'
International reports also highlight the Faizabad seat, where despite the construction and inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the BJP candidate faced defeat against the Samajwadi Party contender. Meanwhile, the Pakistani media is abuzz with discussions on Modi's limited seat tally, describing the BJP's 'politics of hatred' as being rejected by the Indian populace.
What Does Pakistan's Media Say?
Geo TV in Pakistan has been continuously reporting on the Lok Sabha elections. A report states that the public has shattered BJP's intention of crossing 400 seats. The report goes on to say, 'Modi’s politics of hate have been rejected, and the slogan of winning over 400 seats has remained just a desire, with the BJP unable to secure a majority on their own. Now, the BJP will need to rely on crutches of its allies to run the government. Having constructed the Ram Temple at the Babri Masjid site, the BJP admits defeat in Ayodhya.'
Pakistani news channels have also prominently mentioned BJP candidate Madhavi Lata's loss to Asaduddin Owaisi in Hyderabad. Lata was seen targeting a mosque during her campaign, which was perceived as an attack on Muslims.
In another report, the Pakistani channel stated that 'Indians have punished Modi with their votes.' It was said that 'Congress has handed a severe defeat to the BJP, flipping their narrative of 'exceeding 400 seats' into a horror story for the voters. Rahul Gandhi managed to convince people that if the BJP got 400 seats, they would change the constitution and end reservations.'
Pakistan’s 'The Express Tribune' mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the BJP office following the results. Despite the presence of top leaders like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, Modi’s somber speech was telling. 'It's rare to see a winner's face so downcast,' the newspaper quoted.
The article claimed that with no party winning a clear majority, parties like JD(U) and TDP have emerged as kingmakers - historically allies of Congress, but having joined hands with the BJP in this election.
The irony of BJP's candidate losing in Ayodhya, which indicates that the Hindu card didn't play out as well as NDA thought, has also been pointed out. Inflation and unemployment played a critical role in the elections. Analysts say that voters have rejected sectarian politics. Now, without a majority, Modi will have to make compromises, something he's not used to.
SP candidate Awadhesh Prasad from Ayodhya defeated BJP's Lallu Singh by over 56,000 votes.
Source: aajtak
Pakistan's leading paper Dawn's opinion piece suggests that the election has been a mirror to Modi. For those who feared another overwhelming victory for Modi, the results come as a pleasant surprise. While Modi's grip on power is not yet over, it is now closer than before. Since becoming Prime Minister a decade ago, Modi has been feted by his western counterparts. His aggressive conduct may not change, but the lesser number of seats could mark the beginning of the end for the RSS's stronghold in Delhi.
The article anticipates Modi emerging as a weaker leader, with the coalition likely to govern over the next five years, but not beyond, given the current trends.
China’s Media
China's state newspaper Global Times headlined its story- 'Modi claims victory with a slim majority in the coalition.'
The paper focused on Modi's 'weak' government's future economic policies. The Chinese newspaper quoted experts saying that Modi’s ambitions to challenge Chinese manufacturing and improve India’s business conditions would be difficult to achieve in his third term.
Global Times wrote, 'Indian PM Narendra Modi’s party has failed to secure a strong majority despite the coalition, making economic reforms challenging for the leader. He could play the nationalism card, which may not bode well for improving China-India relations.'
Bangladesh
Bangladesh's 'The Daily Star' analyzed the NDA victory that feels like a defeat.
The piece mentioned several factors for the election outcome, like the consistent polarization during the campaign, failing to capitalize on the Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration, and the rise of the India Coalition. It suggests that not all emotional issues, no matter how engaging, have a shelf-life. If important issues keep getting suppressed and the same ones are pushed repeatedly, voters will turn away.
The article indicated that the India Block has carved deep inroads into states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan as part of the politically crucial Hindi belt with 225 Lok Sabha seats.
Source: aajtak
Turkey
Turkey's state broadcaster TRT World highlighted that for the first time in a decade, Modi's BJP has failed to bring a majority on its own. This means the party will have to depend on its allies to form the government.
TRT World commented, 'Surveys indicated unemployment and price rise as main voter concerns. Modi’s opposition and international human rights groups have repeatedly raised alarms about India's democracy and minority rights. Freedom House stated this year that the BJP has extensively targeted opponents using government institutions.'
Another piece on TRT World mentioned the emergence of JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar and TDP's Chandrababu Naidu as kingmakers while the India Block, which won 232 seats, is actively negotiating with both.
The Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament, has 543 seats with a majority at 272.
Qatar
Qatar's news network Al Jazeera wrote that the GOP results were questioning the BJP's strategy. As the elections progressed, India's charismatic and divisive Prime Minister Modi attempted to invoke fear among the Hindu majority of opposition conspiring to distribute resources to Muslims.
Al Jazeera adds, 'While the opposition attacked Modi on his economic track record claiming the crown of the world's fastest-growing major economy, voters told pollsters before the election that high inflation and unemployment were their key issues.' The BJP went with the slogan 'This time 400 for sure.'
Modi's biographer, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, quoted by Al Jazeera, said, 'The pitch BJP prepared reeked of overconfidence. When people were struggling with prices, unemployment, and income inequality, BJP swam in self-assurance.'
Political analyst Asim Ali, quoted by Al Jazeera, said, 'The outcome is BJP walking blindly into a disaster. Today, Modi has lost face. He hasn't lost, but the invincibility aura is shredded.'
Source: aajtak
America
The New York Times discusses the political impacts of the NDA’s victory and the election lessons. It says Modi's BJP has failed to achieve a full majority and will need the support of allies to form a government.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post speculates on global effects of Modi’s victory and challenges of a coalition government.
United Kingdom
British broadcaster BBC has remarked that even though NDA has gained majority, the failure of BJP on its own is a major political upset.
BBC states, 'Modi is known for controversial decisions like demonetization and polarizing actions, such as scrapping Jammu and Kashmir's special status. But for the first time, Modi will need to collaborate with his two allies, JD(U) and TDP, to stay in power.'
British news agency Reuters headlined, 'Rahul Gandhi, once a political mockery, slows down Modi’s charge.'
Source: aajtak
Reuters praised Rahul Gandhi, often mocked by Modi and his proponents for his political lineage, for his remarkable comeback, leading a coalition that has deeply penetrated BJP’s bastions.
The Nehru-Gandhi family descendant Rahul Gandhi has re-established his image by taking two marches against Modi's politics of hate, instilling enthusiasm into Congress.
Citing New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research political analyst Rahul Verma, Reuters wrote, 'Rahul Gandhi will be credited with not only mobilization for his march but also for clarifying Congress's ideological pitch against the BJP. This is Rahul Gandhi’s moment.'
